Questions to Ask Before Choosing Bariatric Surgery

If you have been seriously thinking about undergoing a weight loss surgery, then it is of utmost importance to completely understand what it will actually mean for your lifestyle and what possible results and risks you can expect.

No matter what kind of bariatric surgery you will opt for, the fact is that the food that you eat and the amount of it will definitely have to change and that it will have to stay that way your whole life.

In other words, there are several questions you need to ask and to find out what the answers are before you make this life-changing decision.

1. Do I suffer from a weight-related medical condition?

However, some of these conditions can actually make you pretty vulnerable when it comes to undergoing a weight loss surgery, meaning you won’t be a good candidate for the surgery specifically because of that health condition.

So, in order to determine whether a certain health condition is a reason to do the surgery or to actually avoid it, you definitely need to consult a medical expert.

2. Do I feel ready to completely change my way of life?

Don’t be fooled – your work is not over after you undergo a weight loss surgery. It has even been said that the changes in your lifestyle after the surgery will be the biggest challenge you will have to face.

Your diet and your eating habits will have to be significantly modified if you want the surgery to have a successful outcome. Your eating habits need to be moderate and you need to exercise regularly in order to get the best possible results.

In order to be sure you are fully physically, mentally and emotionally prepared for the changes, it is recommendable to have a couple of consultation sessions with your physician.

3. Have I done a thorough research of various types of this surgery?

Weight loss surgery is a general term that covers several types of procedure, so it’s important for you to get to know all of them. There are three usual types of weight loss surgery:

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery – this type includes forming a bypass which will limit how much food you can eat; otherwise, you will feel very uncomfortable;

The band-inserting gastric band surgery – this type involves removing the left part of the stomach, which will limit the amount of food you will feel the need to eat (and be able to eat, as well);

Sleeve gastrectomy – also includes removing the left part of the stomach, leaving a small stomach pouch in the shape of a sleeve.

Of course, these three types have their own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s necessary for you to consult your physician about each one of them in order to make the right call according to your medical state, the way of life and personal characteristics.

4. Is the surgery covered with insurance, and if not, is it affordable?

Your health insurance differs depending on your provider. In most cases, many providers cover a bariatric surgery. On the other hand, those patients whose providers don’t cover this type of surgery will have to take several factors into consideration if they want an estimation of the cost of the surgery.

First of all, the facility that deals with bariatric surgeries can help the patient come up with an affordable plan. Of course, different types of surgery differ in price. You can’t choose the procedure type according to the price, but just be aware of different prices. Lastly, your medical history will have a certain impact on the final cost.

One important note: in case you have already asked for insurance coverage from the provider and you have been denied, don’t give up just yet, especially if you have a medical condition like diabetes, high blood pressure or a heart disease.

The reason why you shouldn’t give up at the very beginning is that a quarter of patients who asked for the coverage and were denied initially manage to get the coverage after the second or third attempt. In other words, the insurance company agreed to pay because they were persistent.

Final comment

Undergoing a bariatric surgery is a big decision, which is why you have to have the answers to these questions. Only then can you be sure that your decision is the right one.